Apparatus for attaching paper fasteners



Sept. ,1939.

v. BURNS ET AL APPARATUS FOR ATTAQHING PAPER FASTENERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 VBMRS Z/ner WBQUGE j ma S p 19, 93 E. v. BURNS ET AL 2,173,390

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING PAPER FASTENERS Filed Aug. 21, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I laward VBu/vzb JZQ/ner Zia/00m p 9, 939 'Efv. BURNS HAL 2,173,390

7 APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING PAPER FASTENERS Filed Aug. 21, 1956 5 Sheets$heet s Sept. 19, 1939. E. v. BURNS ET AL 2,173,390

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING PAPER FASTENERS Filed Aug. 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fiwamtors 7 [ward Vf u/vzs Em? Wfiaaon Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING PAPER FASTENERS chusetts Application August 21, 1936, Serial No. 97,144

' 25. Claims.

This invention relates to paper fasteners and more particularly to an apparatus for attaching a paper fastener to a file folder, card, sheet of paper or similar backing support.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and efiicient apparatus adapted to secure a conventional paper fastener to any suitable backing support. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following de- .scription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus showing one embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of a guide member;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side View of the apparatus partly in section and partly in elevation;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a paperfastener ready for attachment to a file folder; Figure 5 is a perspective View of a paper fastener attached to a file folder;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus;

Figure '7 is a cross section through a portionof the apparatus showing the fastener in position to be attached to a file folder and prior to the bending of the tines; a Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the arrangement of parts just after the fastener has been attached to the file folder with the tines bent;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan ,view of the apparatus;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a modified embodiment of the invention for bending the tines; a Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing the arrangement of parts just after the fastener has been attached to the file folder and after the tines have been bent; a

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the parts constituting the head of themodified apparatus shown in Figure l2.prior to bending the tines; and

Figure 14 is a view similar to. Figure 13 showing the arrangement of parts just after the paper fastener has been attached to the file folder and after the tines have been bent. H I

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a bench or table top adapted to serve as a support for the apparatus hereinafter described. The apparatus includes a base plate 3 secured to the bench 2 by means of screws or bolts 4. A reinforcing plate 5 is secured to the underside of the bench 2 by means of the bolts 4. The bench 2, base plate 3 and reinforcing plate 5 are apertured, as indicated at 6, to allow passage of a plunger rod 1.

The lower end of the plunger rod l is pivotally secured to a lever B, as indicated at 9. The lever 8 is fulcrumed intermediate its ends, as indicated at ID, to a bracket I! secured to the underside of the bench 2. The other end of the lever B is connected to a foot lever l2 by means of link l3 having one end secured to one end of the lever 8, as indicated at M, and its other end secured to the lever l2 intermediate its ends, as indicated at l5. The lever I 2 is pivoted at one end to a fixed support 16 and has a foot pedal I! at its front end. The levers 8 and i2 are so proportioned that a slight pressure on the foot pedal l1 moves the plunger rod 1 upwardly. A coil spring !8 secured to-the levers 8 and I2 is adapted to move the 20 plunger rod 1 back to initial position as soon as the pressure on the-foot pedal is released.

A platen I9 is rigidly secured to the upper end of the plunger rod 1 so as to rest on the base plate 3 when the plunger rod 1 is in its lowermost posi- 25 tion. The platen I9 is adapted to support a paper fastener 20 with its sheet retaining prongs 2i and its attaching tine or tines 22 projecting at-right angles to the base of the fastener. The platen i9 is preferably provided with a pair of parallel 30 grooves 23 adapted to receive a pair of reinforcing ribs 24 formed on the base of the fastener. A hardened steel plate I9 is secured to the rear edge of the platen ill by means of screws I9" for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 35

A pair of L-shaped upright members 25 is secured to the base plate 3 with the rearwardly extending wall 26 of one member 25 parallel to the corresponding wall of the other member and spaced therefrom a distance slightly greater than 4 the length of the platen I9. A guide member 21 is positioned between the members 25. The guide member 21 is provided with a horizontal base portion 28 adapted to rest on the base plate 3 and a pair of upstanding walls 29. Each wall 29 is pro- 45 videdwith a reinforcing wall 39. A spacing bar 3| extending between the walls 29 serves to strengthen the structure. The front edge 32 of each of the walls 29 is offset to allow room for the prongs 2| between each wall 29 and its rein- 50 forcing wall 30. The front edge of each wall 39 is flared outwardly, as indicated at 33, to facilitate the proper positioning of the paper fastener 29 on the platen I9.

The edge 32 of each wall 29 is inclined or cam 65 shaped, as indicated at 34. The plate l9 engages the edges 32 of the walls 29 of the guide member 21 so that the guide member is progressively moved backwardly in a line extending at right angles to the path of travel of the platen as the platen is moved upwardly. A pair of coiled springs 35 each having one end secured to an ear 36 projecting from the wall 25 and its other end secured to a bracket 31 carried by the wall 29 moves the guide member 21 forwardly progressively as the platen moves downwardly.

An arm 38 having one end secured to the rear edge of the base plate 3 by means of bolts 39 extends across the plate 3 and has its other end spaced above the platen I9. A stationary head 40 (Figures 1, 6 and 8) is secured to the underside of the forward end of the arm 38 by means of a pair of bolts 4|. For economy in manufacture the stationary head preferably comprises an L-shaped member 42 and a rectangular block 43 arranged to provide a space therebetween. A pair of movable anvils 44 is positioned in the space above mentioned. Each movable anvil 44 is provided with a diagonally extending slot 45 and is secured between the members 42 and 43 by means of a pin 46 passing through the slot and rigidly secured to the members 42 and 43.

A bar 41 is positioned in the space between the members 42 and 43 above the movable anvils 44. The bar 41 is provided with a recess 48 into which a pin 49 is secured. The pin 49 projects through registering apertures in the member 42 and the arm 38. The arm 38 is provided with an internally threaded recess 58 into which a cap member 5| is threaded. The cap member 5| is provided with a recess 52 and the pin 49 is provided with an enlarged head 53 of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the recess 52. A coiled spring 54 positioned in the recess 52 above the head 53 exerts a constant force urging the pin 49 downwardly. The bar 41 is provided at each end with a flanged member 55 arranged to form a guide channel 55 for the prongs 2| adjacent each end of the bar.

A plate 55 is supported by the upright members 25 and one or more brackets 51 in position to support a file folder 58 adjacent the underside of the movable anvils 44. The front edge of the file folder support is cut away, as indicated at 59, to facilitate the attachment of the paper fas 9, slidably secured thereto by means of a wedge 62 v and a screw 63 serves as the back gauge.

The operation of the apparatus is quite simple and extremely fast. A paper fastener 28 is positioned on the platen |9 with the prongs 2| positioned between the offset portion 32 of the wall 29 and the wall 30. A file folder is placed on the plate 58 and is positioned against the gauge bars 89 and 8|. The foot pedal I1 is depressed, causing the platen I9 to move upwardly and move the guide member 21 rearwardly out of its path of travel.

When the prongs 2| are forced through the file folder they project into the guide channels 55' to prevent bending of the prongs. The attaching tines 22 are projected through the file folder adjacent the outer sides of the movable anvils. 44. The continued upward movement of the platen moves the anvils 44 and the bar 41 upwardly into contact with the stationary head 48 (see Figure '7). The diagonal slots 45 impart a cam and the bar 41 to their initial positions.

action to the anvils 44 and force them outwardly against the tines as the platen moves upwardly. The anvils 44 move in opposite horizontal directions and the tines are clinched against the file folder (see Figure 8).

As soon as the pressure on the foot pedal I1 is released the spring l8 moves the platen l9 downwardly to its initial position, the springs 35 move the guide member 21 forwardly to its initial position, and the spring 54 moves the anvils 44 The file folder with the fastener attached is removed from the plate 56 manually, and the apparatus is ready to repeat the operation.

The modified head structure shown in Figures 10 and 11 differs from the structure hereinabove described in that a pair of movable anvils 64 is pivoted to the stationary head 65 by means of a pair of pins 66. The head 65 is provided with flanged members 81 forming guide channels 68 for the prongs 2|. The head 65 is provided with a projection 69 to prevent movement of the anvils 64 too far inwardly. A spring 19 contained in a recess 1| in the head 85 exerts constant force against the outer surface of each movable anvil 64 to move the anvils 84 back to their initial position after the tines 22 have been clinched against the file folder.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14, the stationary head 48 has a pair of anvils 12 mounted therein by means of a pair of pins 13. The pins 13 each project through a horizontal slot 14. The horizontal slots 14 permit horizontal movement of the anvils 12, but prevent any vertical movement. The stationary head 48 is provided with flanged members 15 forming guide channels 16. The adjacent upper edges of the movable anvils 12 are inclined or cam shaped, as indicated at 11.

A rod 18 is secured to the arm 19 by means of a pin 88 passing through a vertical slot 8| in the pin and secured to the arm. The rod 18 is provided with an enlarged head 82 and its other end is inclined or cam shaped as indicated at 83. The rear end of the arm 19 is provided with an upstanding ear 84 to which a lever 85 is pivoted. A link 86 connects the lever 85 with a lever 81 which takes the place of the lever 8.

When the foot pedal I1 is depressed the pivot pin 88 acts as a fulcrum for the lever 81 and the platen I9 is moved upwardly just as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 11. The fastener 20 is moved into contact with the file folder adjacent the bottom of the head 48. The pivot pin 9 then acts as the fulcrum for the lever 81 and the link 86 moves the lever 85 downwardly. The free end of the lever 85 strikes the head 82 and moves the rod 18 downwardly. The cam shaped edge 83 acts on the surfaces 11 and moves the anvils 12 outwardly causing them to clinch the attaching tines 22 against the file folder. A spring 89 coiled around the rod 18 between the head 82 and the top of the arm 19 moves the. rod 18 and the lever 85 back to their initial positions when the pressure is removed from the foot pedal H. A spring 90 is positioned in each slot 14 between the pin 13 and one wall of each movable anvil 12 and moves the anvils 12 inwardly to their initial positions when the rod 18 is moved upwardly.

Although we have described several embodiments of our invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing I5 from the spirit or scope of our invention. Ac-

cordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described-except as limitedby the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file holders, means for projecting sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines through a file holder, a pair of movable anvils adapted .projecting from said fastener through said folder,

and a movable anvil, said platen being operable tomove said anvil to clinch, said tine against said folder.

3. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, means for forcing the sheet retaining prongs and the attaching tines of a paper fastener through said file folder, a pair of movable anvils, adapted to engage said tines, and means to spread said anvils apart to clinch said tines to said file fo1der.

4. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, a platen for projecting the sheet retaining prongs and the attaching tines of a fastener througha folder, and a pair of movable anvils, said platen being operable to force said anvils across said tinesto clinch said tines against said folder. V

5. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, a platenfor moving a paper fastener to project its sheet retaining jprongs and attaching tines through thefile folder, and a pair of ,movable anvils cooperating therewith to clinch said tines against said folder, said movsaid movable anvils in a horizontal direction as' they are moved vertically.

7. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for clinching attaching tines projecting from a paper fastener against a file folder, said means comprising a platen for supporting a paper fastener, a stationary head, a pair of movable anvils mounted in said stationary head, each of said anvils being provided with an elongated diagonal aperture, and means on said stationary head cooperating with said apertures to move said movable anvils horizontally when they are moved vertically.

8. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen for moving a. paper fastener into engagement with said file folder with its sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines projecting therethrough, a stationary head, and a pair of "anvils pivotally mounted on said stationary head,

said platen being operable to move said anvils to clinch said attaching tines against said folder,

9. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen adapted to move a paper fastener to project its sheetretaining prongs and attachingtines through said file folder, a stationary.

head and a pair of anvilszpivotally secured to'said stationary head, said platen being-adapted ,to movesaid anvils pivotally simultaneously with the movement of said fastener after said titles are projected through said folder to clinch said tines against saidfolder. I

.10. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a pair of anvils positioned above said supwportingmeans, means for forcing a paperfastener into engagement with said folder with the sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines of said fastener projecting through said folder, and

.means for moving said anvils horizontally :to

clinch said tines against said folder.

11. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, meansfor supporting a file folder, a movable platen operable to move apaper fastener into contact with said file folder and to project sheetretaining prongs and attaching tines on said fastener through-said folder, and a pair of anvils secured adjacent said file folder and movable by said platen against said tines to clinch said tines against said file folder.

12. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a movable platen operable to move a paper fastener into contact with said file folder and to project attaching tines-on said fastener through said folder, a stationary head positioned above said folder, and a pair of movable. anvils-secured to said stationary head, said platen being operatively connected to said anvils to move said anvils in opposite horizontal directions to bend said tines in opposite directionsand to-c1inch said tines against said file folder.

13. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners of the type adapted to removably retain a plurality of loose sheets to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen supporting a paper fastener, said paper fastener having a pair of sheet retaining prongs and an attaching tine projecting toward said fil-e folder, a stationary head positioned above said file folder, means for moving said" platen upwardly to project said prongs-and tine-through said file folder, and mov able means connected to said head and 'operable by said platen to clinch the attaching tine against said file folder.

14. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for positioning a paper fastener adjacent a file folder with a pair of sheet retaining prongs and an attaching tine projecting from said fastener through said folder, and a movable anvil operatively connected to said means, said anvil engaging said attaching tine to clinch said tine against said folder upon movement of said means after said tine is projected through said folder.

15. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners tofile folders, means for supporting a file folder, means for moving a paper fastener into engagement with said file folder with an attaching tine projecting from said fastener through said folder, and an anvil actuated to move horizontally to clinch said tine against said folder by application of force to said second mentioned means after said tine is projected through said folder.

16. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen for moving a paper fastener into engagement with said file folder with its prongs and attaching tines projecting through said file folder, two pairs of movable guides for supporting said prongs before and after they are projected through said file folder, and a pair of movable anvils adapted to clinch said tines against said file folder, said anvils being actuated by said platen.

17. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen adapted to move a paper fastener to project its prongs through said file folder, and a movable guide member adapted to receive said prongs after they penetrate said file folder and to move therewith to prevent bending of said prongs without interference with the fastener during the movement of said fastener into engagement with said file folder.

18. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a platen for moving a paper fastener to project its prongs through said file folder, and movable guide members above and below said means to prevent bending of said prongs.

19. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, means for moving a paper fastener into engagement with said' file folder with the sheet retaining prongs of the fastener projecting through said folder, and means adjacent said folder adapted to prevent bending of said prongs after they are projected through said folder, said last mentioned means being movable to permit movement of said fastener after said prongs are projected through said folder.

20. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for clinching the attaching tines of a paper fastener against a file folder, said means comprising a platen adapted to support a paper fastener with its sheet retaining prongs and attaching tines projected through a file folder, means for moving said platen, a pair of anvils movable by the movement of said platen to clinch said attaching tines against said file folder, and a spring moving each of said anvils back'to its initial position when said platen is retracted.

21. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for clinching the attaching tines of a paper fastener against a file folder,

said means comprising a pair of movable anvils, a platen for supporting a paper fastener with its attaching tine-s positioned adjacent opposite outer edges of said anvils, and a rod movable vertically between said anvils to force said anvils to move outwardly in a horizontal plane.

22. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, a platen adapted to support a paper fastener, a pair of anvils, a rod having a cam shaped end projecting between said anvils, means to move said platen a predetermined distance, and means to move said rod vertically between said anvils to move said anvils in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which said rod moves, each of saidmeans being actuated by a,

single force.

23. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, a platen adapted to support a paper fastener, a stationary head, a pair of horizontally slidable anvils mounted in said stationary head, a rod having a cam shaped end projecting between said anvils, means to move said platen into engagement with said stationary head, and means to move said rod to spread said anvils apart when said platen is in engagement with said stationary head.

24. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for supporting a file folder, a stationary head mounted above said supporting means, a pair of anvils mounted in said head, a platen for supporting a paper fastener provided with upstanding attaching tines, and means for moving said platen vertically to project said tines through said file fold-er into engagement with said anvils, said last mentioned means transmitting motion to said anvils upon application of force to said last mentioned means after said tines are projected through said file folder to clinch said tines against said folder.

25. In an apparatus for attaching paper fasteners to file folders, means for clinching an attaching tine against a folder, said means comprising a movable anvil of rectangular shape provided with a slot extending at angle of approximately forty five degrees relative to the clinching face of said anvil, a stationary head, a pin rigidly fixed to said stationary head and passing through said slot to limit and to control the direction of the movement of said movable anvil.

EDWARD V. BURNS. ELMER W. BACQN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,17 90. September 19, 19 9. EDWARD v. BURNS; ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page}, first column, line 15, c1aim 2, after the word "for" insert attaching; and that the said. Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of October, A. D. 1959;

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents x 

